Social Responsibility In Librarianship Essays On Equality

PLG encourages the establishment of local, regional, and student chapters. To create a PLG chapter in your community, read the PLG Chapter guidelines. To learn more about PLG and progressive librarianship, the essay "Introducing PLG to a new librarian" by Kristine Kelleher and PLG's Statement of purpose are good starting points.

Active chapters

London (Ontario) PLG Chapter

Started at the University of Western Ontario by MLIS students, membership is open to any interested information workers in the London area. PLG London has a blog and is on Facebook and can be contacted at PLGlondonON at groups.facebook.com.

St. Kate's PLG Chapter [website]

The College of St. Catherine Progressive Librarians Guild (PLG) Student Chapter emphasizes collaborations with local libraries and activist groups. The St. Kate's PLG promotes campus discussion about progressive library issues while connecting students to ongoing radical library volunteer efforts. By incorporating service and action into St. Kate's MLIS program, the PLG student chapter embraces and expands upon the College's tradition of social responsibility. Contact: progressive at stkate.edu.

Toronto PLG Chapter [website]

A group of librarians and library workers in the Toronto area who are concerned with social justice and equality issues related to stewardship of knowledge, open access to information, and common space.

Inactive chapters

Dalhousie University PLG Chapter [website]

The first PLG student chapter in Canada at the School of Information Management (SIM), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Drexel PLG Chapter [website]

Founded in early 2008, the Drexel student chapter furthers PLG's goals and collaborates with other radical groups on campus to contribute to the broader activist community in Philadelphia.

Emporia State University PLG Chapter

Located in Emporia, Kansas.

Indiana University PLG Chapter [website]

The Indiana University PLG Chapter seeks to promote socially responsible librarianship and provide a progressive forum for the exchange of ideas. The chapter encourages thoughtful discourse and discussion by hosting events, talks and panels that address professional, political, and societal issues that impact library and information workers and students.

Piedmont (SC) PLG Chapter [website]

"A Breed Apart Progressives in the Bible Belt." A group concerned with promoting progressive values in libraries and librarianship. As a chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild, we wholeheartedly support their statement of purpose and goals. We will also discuss issues that directly impact the Carolina Piedmont.

Vancouver PLG Chapter

School of Library, Archival, and Information Science (SLAIS) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

SILS PLG Chapter [website]

Pratt Institute's School of Information and Library Science (SILS), New York City.

St. John's University PLG Chapter

At Facebook.

Simmons GSLIS PLG Chapter [website]

The student chapter at Simmons supports the PLG and its statement of principles by: encouraging and providing a forum for the open exchange of radical views on library issues; conducting campaigns to support progressive and democratic library activities on the local, national and international level; and promoting progressive activities, i.e. guest speakers, discussions, field trips and volunteer opportunities that enhance the professional development of its members.

University of Arizona PLG Chapter [website]

As the University of Arizona Chapter of Progressive Librarians Guild, we strive to uphold and promote social responsibility and diverse points of view through participation in the LIS field. We believe that direct communication on progressive issues with LIS students and professionals, as well as the community, will provide opportunities for improving libraries and communities for all. Through cooperative discussion, projects, and direct action on myriad subjects, and from multiple viewpoints, we aspire to attain the ideals of a true democratic society. The PLG-UA Chapter newsletter is found here.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign PLG Chapter

The GSLIS chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild fosters discussion and action related to librarianship and social responsibility, both within the graduate program as well as the greater field. We believe that the vital role of the library in a democratic society requires a politically and socially engaged profession. Contact Jessica Lynn Colbert, jcolber2@illinois.edu.

University of Missouri PLG Chapter [website]

Currently our members are all graduate students in the School of Information Science & Learning Technology at the University of Missouri. The majority of us reside in Columbia, MO but we have in the past also had members in Springfield and St.Louis, MO. We are always looking for honorable causes to advocate and volunteer for and are always eager to meet fellow progressive librarians.

Wayne State University (Detroit) PLG Chapter [website]

The purpose of the PLG-WSU is to promote a politically/culturally progressive model of librarianship and graduate library and information science education. PLG-WSU is on Facebook. Join the Wayne State PLG discussion forum by sending an email to plg-wsu@googlegroups.com.

Social Responsibility

Essay # 4

Research Paper

The Research Paper is intended to give each student the opportunity to expand the knowledge gained from the class readings. Each student will apply critical thinking and writing skills covered in class while researching your choice of topic (below).

Premise: Our reading this semester exposed us to many issues that affect society and it is up to us to uncover some real truths and share the knowledge related to education and social responsibility

Assignment: In this essay you will examine what it means to be “Socially Responsible” from one of the points of view listed below. Review each topic below and determine which one item provides the most interest to you.

Business – you may look at businesses that exhibit good social responsibility. Or you can look at the companies that have positive effects on the local economy and environment. Consider the areas of individual freedom & citizenship as discussed in class. Provide a solution that could be adopted across the big business that ensures success and safety for employees as well as the local community.

Education – Who has the right to decide who learns what? Is there such a thing as educational equality? How do the economic factors affect the success of a student? Provide a potential solution to help students succeed despite the hurdles that hinder success.

Literacy - the cornerstone of educational success hinges on literacy development. This begins before birth. Research the implications of the lack of literacy engagement for long term success and the success of early literacy development when it is embraced early in a child’s life. Provide a summary of best practices to ensure academic success.

Requirements:

For this essay you will prepare a Proposal, two rough drafts, and final copy. All work must be typed.

Your Proposal will include your reason for choosing the topic and what you hope to learn and you must include a brief outline of topics you might cover in your research. Use any pre-writing technique to illustrate your ideas – bubble chart, brain storming list, free-write.

Research paper will contain the following:

Summary of the research materials.

Examination the research data to answer the following (must address at least three areas listed):

v Why is the topic a problem or solution?

v What is social responsibility in brief terms?

v How do you propose to be a part of the solution?

v Does Media play a part in your topic?

v What is the outlook for the issue or solution?

v Why is the data important and how does it support the issue you are covering?

Each essay will include the standard introductory paragraph with thesis and conclusion. The paper must include a minimum of Six(6) outside research sources Two of which must be a book. The paper must include at least ten (10) citations (quotations) from the texts to support your claim. You will also need a Works Cited Page for this paper. This paper should be 7-9 pages in length followed by the Works Cited page, use 12 pt Times New Roman or Arial fonts and have 1 inch margins. Spacing should be ‘double spaced’. Use the sample heading below for your paper & DO NOT use a cover page. Please use MLA format appropriate for a research paper.

Brandt defines sponsors as “any agents, local or distant, concrete or abstract, who enable, support, teach, model as well as recruit, regulate suppress, or with-hold literacy – and gain advantage by it in some way”( 556). She spent five years studying people and how the learned to read and write. She discusses the type of sponsors accessible to people of various economic backgrounds. Some of her results show that those of higher social class had better sponsors.

Delpit, Lisa. Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflicts in the Classroom. New York: New Press. 1995. Print.

This book covers the many issues regarding cultural conflict in the classroom. Her premise for this book was what she witnessed, regarding Native American instruction, while teaching at the University of Alaska were “white conservatives and liberals were battling each other over what was good for these ‘other people’s children,’ while excluding from the conversation those with the most to gain or lose by its outcome” (6). She believed there was much at stake for these students of color and advocated for creating an environment where the students were exposed to community discourses outside their local and primary community.